The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-07-13
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

A WASHINGTON dispatch says it is
practically settled that the President
will not visit the West at all during the pres
ent year. The abandonment OF his proposed
visit to St Louis has resulted in wholly
changing whatever plans nc mad made for
visiting Western cities. Following is the text
of his letter to the st Louis committee de-
clining to visit that city:
While have hitherto made no formal re-
Spouse TO your imitation given in February last
IL myself and Mis-. Cleveland to attend the na-
tional encampment OF the Grand Army Of the
Republic, TO be held in st. Louis from the 9th
TO tie i0th Of September next l have verbally
indicated my purpose to acct pit IL IL 1 should
hnd II possible then to be absent from Wash
ngton.
The statements contained in your letter that
the organization was never in 80 fourshing a
condition now, nor it's membership half SO
large; that no effort is being spared by the citi.
zens Of st. Louis 10 insure awelcome of unusual
warmth ut this, the first encampmcnt OF that
body ever held in a Southern State, and your
suggestion that no compliment more fitting
could be bestowed upon the valiant defenders
OF common country by the chief executive
OF n restored Union, and none would be more
highly Appreciated than that conferred
by his presence at such II time and place" en-
listed my feeling and interest More recently
indications have been disclosed that, however
correctly you expressed the prevailing senti-
ment in the Grand Army, there are members OF
feelings in respect TO my acceptance, and that
my acceptance of your invitation would lead to
discord III the organization, as well rs an inter-
ruption OF cordiality at the coming encalnpment
Without entering into discussion of these
opinions, and unmoved by any feeling al
though deeply regret the condition, can but
regard IL my duty to refrain from contributing
by my action To so undesirable result. Nothing
be of greater Importance in connection
with the encampment than the free aud unre-
strained manifestation by its partic pants of
that patriotic fraternity Of feeling suggested by
the selection Of the place OF holding IL aud
which is at once the proof Of the complete sue
cess Of their arms and the highest glory of our
veteran soldiers.
am constrained, therefore, to withhold my
proposed acceptance OF your invitation. In do
ing so i assure you OF my unfeigned hope and
sincere wish that in the agreeable entertain
nient prepared for them by the hospitable peo-
pie of st. Louis, the veterans OF the Grand
Army may enjoy the most pleasant, profitable
and useful reunion In their history. Very truly
yours, GROVER CLEVELAND.
AN extensive system of frauds upon the
Government, involving wholesale forgery and
perjury, has been unearthcd IN the horse
claims division OF the Office of the Third Aud
itor of the Treasury ut Washington. They
were conceived and carried out by Oscar J.
Harvey, late chief OF the division. Harvey
has been dismissed from the service and was
a few days ago arrested at Wilkesbarre, Pa,
where he had been spending his vacation, and
takeUto Washington. He has made full con-
fession-
COMMISSIONER SPARKS has received letter
from public land entryman in eastern Colo
RADIO saying that many settlers have been
forced TO leave their holdings to obtain the
necessaries Of life, and the writer asks if this
absence will opcrats to defeat their claim
when final proof is offered The Commits
sioner, in his answer. Gays:
The distressing situation you have mentioned
appeals TO my strongest sympathes in favor OF
actual settlers on the public domain who are
suffering from drought and loss Of crops. and
whatever relief may be possible within the